A couple months ago I had a sample of Tarte's Clean Slate. I loved it. I cannot afford the $30 price tag. I weep. I go in search of a drug store primer. I am looking for a primer that: moisturizes, controls oil and helps smooth fine lines.

The first one I come across is Revlon Beyond Natural smoothing primer. This is what it claims:

Evens skin for a smooth, virtually poreless appearance and creates a smooth base for lasting foundation.

Really, they don't claim a lot. The tube doesn't have any ingredients listed, which is a little peeve of mine. After looking (and I will mention I couldn't find them on Revlon's site) it seems to have a fair bit of fruity extracts in it:

Lightweight gel like formula, fills pores and lines: alright, it is a lightweight gel but as for filling lines and such, it does nothing. I don't notice any difference in the appearance of my skin when I apply this. None. I can feel a very slight difference. My skin is a very slight bit greasy, not smooth, but that is about it. After a little while (I usually apply at the start of my makeup to let it set in for a few minutes) it doesn't really feel like anything.

Clean fresh fragrance: why is this a plus point? I know a lot of things we use on our faces have fragrance but as a selling point? And it smells floral, not pleasant to me.

Does it work? I've used this a couple of times and it didn't seem to help my foundation last any longer or control oil. As I already mentioned, it doesn't smooth very well. My foundation doesn't go on any nicer. So really, I have to say no. The one plus to this is it helps my dry skin out a little but this can be better accomplished with a moisturizer.This sells at most drug stores and walmart, walmart.com and walgreens.com for $10-12.